One of the greatest post-war sports cars, Jaguar's E-Type made immediate headlines on its launch in March 1961. A direct descendent of the XK150 S, the competition C and D-Type models that so dominated Fifties sports car racing, its 3.8 litre twin cam engine produced 265bhp and was mated to a Moss four-speed gearbox. Beneath the beautiful William Lyons/Malcolm Sayer-styled body, available in coupe or roadster form, the steel monocoque chassis sported all independent suspension mounted on detachable sub frames, using double coil springs/dampers and swing arms at the rear with torsion bars and wishbones at the front. Brakes were discs all round, mounted inboard at the back.

October 1964 saw the debut of the 4.2 litre model; apart from the capacity increase from 3,781cc to 4,235cc and improved torque but the same power, it boasted a new all-synchromesh gearbox, better brake servo and seats, an alternator and leather-faced rather than aluminium dashboard.
With the Series 2 of October 1969, however, US emission and safety regulations had their way: headlights were open rather than closed, the radiator intake was enlarged, one-piece bumpers replaced the split items with larger side lamps now beneath and, in US guise only, twin Stromberg carburettors reduced power to just 177bhp. Thankfully, European market cars retained their triple SU carburettor, 265bhp engines.

However, the balance was to be redressed with the introduction of the Series 3 model powered by Jaguar's new 5.3-litre, overhead camshaft V12 engine developing 272bhp. This resulted in a top speed again in excess of 140mph with 0-100mph taking just 16 seconds, the fastest ever acceleration figures for the model. Revisions to the running gear included anti-dive geometry on the front suspension and ventilated disc brakes. Power steering was standard and flared wheel arches were incorporated to allow fitment of wider rubber to maintain grip. A deeper radiator aperture with chrome grille completed the restyle. With manual or automatic transmission options the Series 3 ensured the immortal E Type would survive into the new decade of the 1970s.